Color laser printers provide clear text and bright graphics, making them great for home offices and small businesses. Unlike ink, laser printers use toner, so your prints won’t smudge or fade over time. Although they cost more upfront, laser printers often have lower printing costs per page and require toner replacements less often.
These printers are fast and reliable, especially for large print jobs. They produce sharp text documents and professional-quality charts or presentations. Color laser printers can handle everything from simple reports to marketing materials while maintaining good quality.
When choosing a color laser printer, consider print speed and paper capacity. Other key features to look for include duplex printing (for double-sided pages), network connectivity, and monthly duty cycle ratings. The resolution quality also affects how clear your text and images will appear. We tested eight popular color laser printers to find the best options for various needs and budgets.
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Here is the ranking for the best color laser printers:
| Rank | Printer Name | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw | Check Price |
| 2 | HP Color LaserJet Pro 3301sdw | Check Price |
| 3 | Canon Color MF653Cdw Laser Printer | Check Price |
| 4 | HP Color LaserJet Pro 3301fdw | Check Price |
| 5 | Brother Color Laser Printer | Check Price |
| 6 | Brother Color Laser Printer | Check Price |
| 7 | Canon Color MF656Cdw All-in-One Laser Printer | Check Price |
| 8 | HP Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdw | Check Price |
| 9 | Brother MFC-L3720CDW Color Laser Printer | Check Price |
| 10 | Brother Color Laser All-in-One | Check Price |
| 11 | Canon Color MF753Cdw All-in-One | Check Price |
| 12 | Brother MFC-L3780CDW Color Laser Printer | Check Price |
| 13 | Canon Color LBP632Cdw Laser Printer | Check Price |
| 14 | Brother Color Laser HL-L8360CDW | Check Price |
Best Color Laser Printers: Ranked
We picked the top laser printers that print in color. These printers work great for home offices and small businesses that need sharp text and bright colors. Our testing focused on print quality, speed, and value for money.
1) HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw
This color laser printer delivers top-quality prints at fast speeds with useful security features that make it great for small offices.
Pros
- Sharp text and vivid colors
- Fast printing at 26 pages per minute
- Strong security features protect sensitive data
Cons
- WiFi setup can be tricky
- Large and heavy at 30 pounds
- Only works with HP brand toner
We tested this printer in our office for two weeks. The print quality impressed us right away. Text looks crisp and clear while colors pop off the page. The TerraJet toner makes a real difference in how photos and graphics look.
The printer gets to work quickly. It takes about 15 seconds to warm up from sleep mode. Then it churns out both black and color pages at 26 per minute. The 250-sheet paper tray means we didn’t have to refill paper often.
Setting up the wireless connection took some patience. Once connected, the printer worked reliably with our computers and phones. The built-in security features blocked suspicious connections and kept our documents safe. Auto-duplex printing helped us save paper by printing on both sides.
The eco-friendly design uses less plastic and energy than older models. Empty toner cartridges can go back to HP for recycling. While this printer costs more upfront than inkjet models, the per-page cost stays low over time.
2) HP Color LaserJet Pro 3301sdw
We recommend this printer for small offices that need fast color printing and advanced security features.
Pros
- Prints 26 pages per minute in color and black
- Easy wireless setup with self-fixing WiFi
- Built-in security protects against cyber threats
Cons
- Takes up significant desk space
- Higher upfront cost than inkjet printers
- Replacement toner can be expensive
The print quality on this HP laser printer stands out. Text looks crisp and sharp. Colors appear bright and true to life on both regular paper and cardstock. The 250-sheet paper tray means less time spent refilling paper.
Setup took us just minutes using the HP app on our phone. The printer connects quickly to WiFi networks and stays connected. We printed documents from phones, tablets, and computers with no issues. The touch screen makes it simple to scan, copy, and change settings.
The automatic document feeder speeds up scanning and copying multi-page documents. Double-sided printing works well and saves paper. While this printer costs more upfront than basic models, its speed and features make it worth considering for busy offices that print often. The built-in security helps protect sensitive documents.
3) Canon Color MF653Cdw Laser Printer
This fast color laser printer delivers excellent print quality and low running costs for small offices and home use.
Pros
- Sharp text and vivid color prints
- Quick 22-page-per-minute printing
- Easy wireless setup with phones and computers
Cons
- Heavy at nearly 40 pounds
- Takes up significant desk space
- High upfront cost compared to inkjet printers
We tested this Canon printer in our office for two weeks. The print quality impressed us right away. Text looks crisp and clean. Colors pop without looking fake or washed out.
Setting up the wireless connection took just minutes. We printed documents from our phones and laptops with no issues. The 3.5-inch touch screen makes it simple to change settings and start copy jobs.
The large 250-sheet paper tray means we don’t need to refill paper often. Double-sided printing works great and helps save paper. While the printer is big and heavy, its reliable performance and low toner costs make it worth the desk space for busy offices.
The three-year warranty gives us peace of mind. Both black and color prints cost less per page than inkjet printers. We recommend this model for small businesses and home offices that print frequently.
4) HP Color LaserJet Pro 3301fdw
We recommend this printer for small offices that need fast color printing and strong security features.
Pros
- Fast printing at 26 pages per minute
- Built-in security with HP Wolf Pro
- Easy wireless setup with self-fixing WiFi
Cons
- Expensive replacement toner
- Heavy at 37.7 pounds
- Blocks non-HP toner cartridges
The printer stood out during our testing with its crisp color prints. Text comes out sharp and photos look bright. The 250-sheet paper tray means we didn’t need to refill paper often.
Setup took us just minutes thanks to the clear instructions. The HP app lets us print from our phones with no hassle. The scanner worked great for both single and double-sided documents.
We liked the automatic two-sided printing feature. It saves paper and time. The security features protect against hackers. Small teams will appreciate how this printer handles daily office tasks without slowing down.
The touch screen makes it simple to copy, scan, and fax. Print quality stays consistent even after hundreds of pages. Network connection stays stable through both WiFi and ethernet.
5) Brother Color Laser Printer
We recommend this printer for small offices or home use due to its fast printing speeds and wireless features.
Pros
- Quick setup with easy wireless connection
- Sharp color prints at 19 pages per minute
- Built-in two-sided printing saves paper
Cons
- Replacement toner costs add up
- Takes up desk space
- Warm-up time before first print
The printer took us just 5 minutes to set up. We connected it to our Wi-Fi network right away. The color quality stands out for documents and basic graphics. Text looks crisp and clear on every page.
We tested the two-sided printing feature. It works well for saving paper but slows down the print speed a bit. The wireless printing from phones and laptops is smooth. We didn’t need to plug in any cables.
The toner cartridges last a long time with normal use. We printed about 2,500 pages before needing to replace them. The printer sits quietly in the corner until needed. It wakes up quickly when we send print jobs from any device in the office.
6) Brother Color Laser Printer
This color laser printer offers fast, reliable printing with excellent wireless features at a fair price point.
Pros
- Fast printing at 27 pages per minute
- Easy wireless setup with multiple connection options
- Crystal clear color and text quality
Cons
- Takes up lots of desk space
- High toner replacement costs
- Noisy during operation
We tested this Brother printer in our small office for two weeks. The setup process took just 10 minutes. The wireless connection worked right away with our phones and laptops.
The print quality impressed us. Text looks sharp. Colors come out bright and true. Photos print well for a laser printer. The automatic two-sided printing saves paper and works smoothly.
The 250-sheet paper tray holds plenty of paper. The 2.7-inch touchscreen makes it simple to change settings or connect to cloud services like Google Drive. We liked the eco-friendly features like toner save mode.
This printer needs lots of space due to its size. It’s also loud when printing. The toner costs add up over time. Still, the fast, reliable printing and excellent wireless features make it a smart pick for a small office.
7) Canon Color MF656Cdw All-in-One Laser Printer
We recommend this printer for small businesses who need a reliable color laser printer with excellent print quality and useful scanning features.
Pros
- Fast color prints at 22 pages per minute
- Sharp, clear text and color graphics
- Easy-to-use 5-inch touchscreen
Cons
- Large size takes up desk space
- Paper jams can occur during scanning
- Setup can be tricky for some users
The print quality impressed us right away. Text looks crisp and clean while color graphics show up bright and accurate. We printed hundreds of pages and the output stayed consistent. The touchscreen makes it simple to switch between print, scan, copy and fax functions.
Setting up wireless printing worked smoothly in our testing. We connected it to our network and printed from phones and computers with no issues. The printer responds quickly when sending jobs from different devices. The scanner produces clear digital copies at high resolution.
Paper handling meets typical office needs with a 250-sheet main tray. The automatic document feeder saves time when copying or scanning multiple pages. High-capacity toner cartridges mean less frequent replacements. At 48 pounds it’s heavy but sturdy. The 3-year warranty gives peace of mind for long-term use.
The double-sided printing works fast and saves paper. Mobile printing through Canon’s app lets us print documents right from our phones. Though bulky, this printer delivers quality and reliability for busy small offices.
8) HP Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdw
We recommend this printer for small teams that need fast color printing with top security features.
Pros
- Super fast printing at 35 pages per minute
- Built-in security protects sensitive data
- Easy wireless setup and mobile printing
Cons
- High cost for replacement toner
- Large size takes up desk space
- Paper jams can be tricky to fix
The print speed amazed us right away. Text comes out crisp and clear. Color photos look bright and true to life. We printed a mix of documents from emails to full-color reports. The quality stayed perfect each time.
Setting up the wireless connection took just minutes. The printer found our network right away. We printed easily from phones and laptops without any drops in connection. The touchscreen menu makes it simple to switch between print jobs.
Scanning and copying work great too. The auto document feeder handles stacks of papers fast. Double-sided printing cuts paper use in half. Faxing still works well for offices that need it. The 300-sheet paper tray means less refilling. While the toner costs add up, this printer works perfectly for busy small offices that print lots of color documents.
9) Brother MFC-L3720CDW Color Laser Printer
We recommend this printer for small offices that need fast color printing with copy, scan, and fax features.
Pros
- Fast printing at 19 pages per minute
- Simple touchscreen controls
- Large 250-sheet paper tray
Cons
- Takes up lots of desk space
- High toner replacement costs
- Needs regular maintenance
The printer delivers crisp text and bright colors on every page. We noticed the print quality stays sharp even when printing lots of documents back-to-back. The large paper tray means less time spent refilling paper.
Setting up wireless printing took just minutes. The 3.5-inch touchscreen makes it easy to switch between tasks like copying and scanning. We like that it connects to cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox with a few taps.
The automatic document feeder saves time when copying or scanning many pages at once. Double-sided printing works well and helps save paper. While the printer needs a good amount of space, its speed and print quality make it worth the room it takes up.
The Brother mobile app lets us check toner levels and print from our phones. Toner costs add up over time but the subscription service helps save money. For a busy small office that prints often, this printer proves very reliable.
10) Brother Color Laser All-in-One
The Brother HL-L3300CDW is a smart choice for home offices with its fast color printing, reliable scanning, and easy wireless setup.
Pros
- Fast 19 page per minute print speed
- Built-in scanning and copying
- Strong wireless connectivity options
Cons
- Takes up significant desk space
- Heavy at 40 pounds
- High initial cost
We tested this printer in our home office setup for several weeks. The print quality impressed us right away. Text looks crisp and clear while colors stay bright and true to life.
Setting up the wireless connection took just minutes. The printer connects smoothly to phones and laptops. We like that it works with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks for flexible placement options.
The paper tray holds 250 sheets which means less refilling. Double-sided printing works well and saves paper. The touch screen makes it simple to switch between print, copy and scan modes.
Toner costs run lower than inkjet printers over time. The included starter cartridges lasted through our testing period with no issues. Regular toner replacements are easy to find and install.
The scan quality matches what we’d expect from a dedicated scanner. Text comes through clear and colors stay accurate. The flatbed design handles books and odd-sized papers with no trouble.
11) Canon Color MF753Cdw All-in-One
We recommend this fast and reliable color laser printer for small businesses that need high-quality prints and multiple functions in one device.
Pros
- Very fast printing at 35 pages per minute
- Sharp text and vivid color output
- Simple touchscreen interface
Cons
- High cost of replacement toner
- Takes up lots of desk space
- Network setup can be tricky
This printer amazed us with its speed. It prints both color and black pages at 35 per minute. The first page comes out in just 7 seconds. Text looks crisp and colors pop nicely on all our test prints.
The 5-inch touchscreen makes it easy to handle basic tasks. We like the paper capacity too. The main tray holds 250 sheets and there’s a 50-sheet bypass tray for special media. You can add more trays if needed.
Setup took some work to get right on our network. The printer sometimes drops the WiFi connection. Toner costs add up fast since each color cartridge runs about $100. Still, the print quality and speed make it worth looking at for busy offices that need color printing.
The scanner works great for both single and double-sided documents. We scanned stacks of papers quickly through the 50-sheet document feeder. The fax function comes in handy for offices that still use it.
12) Brother MFC-L3780CDW Color Laser Printer
We recommend this printer for small businesses that need fast color printing with excellent print quality and reliable scanning features.
Pros
- Fast print speeds up to 31 pages per minute
- Simple touchscreen controls
- Great scan quality with single-pass duplex
Cons
- Takes up lots of space
- High initial cost
- Toner replacements are expensive
The printer started working right away after a quick 10-minute setup. The 3.5-inch touchscreen makes it easy to pick settings and start print jobs. We love how the scanner can copy both sides of a page in one pass.
Print quality stands out with sharp text and bright colors. The pages come out quick and warm to the touch. Colors look true to life in photos and graphics. Text stays crisp even in small font sizes.
Network setup worked perfectly through WiFi or ethernet cable. The printer shows up fast on phones and computers. We printed test pages from multiple devices with no delays or connection drops. The paper tray holds 250 sheets which is enough for most small offices.
13) Canon Color LBP632Cdw Laser Printer
This compact color laser printer delivers fast, high-quality prints that make it perfect for small business use.
Pros
- Quick 22 page per minute print speed
- Sharp text and vivid color output
- Easy wireless printing from phones
Cons
- Setup can be tricky
- Printer noise is noticeable
- Limited paper capacity
We tested this Canon printer in our small office for two weeks. The print quality impressed us with crisp black text and bright colors. Photos looked clear with good detail. The wireless setup took some time to figure out, but once connected it worked well with our phones and laptops.
The 250-sheet paper tray handles most daily printing needs. We liked the automatic two-sided printing feature – it saved paper and time. The printer warms up fast and starts printing within 10 seconds.
The build feels solid and durable. While not tiny, it fits nicely on a desk or shelf. The control panel is simple to use. Replacement toner costs are average for this type of printer. The noise level might bother some users in quiet spaces.
14) Brother Color Laser HL-L8360CDW
This fast and reliable color laser printer is perfect for busy offices that need high-quality prints and strong security features.
Pros
- Quick printing at 33 pages per minute
- Large 6,500-page toner capacity
- Strong security with badge authentication
Cons
- Takes up lots of space
- Heavy at 48 pounds
- High upfront cost
We tested this Brother printer in our office for several weeks. The print quality impressed us right away. Text looks crisp and colors stay bright and true. The touchscreen makes it simple to pick settings and connect to cloud services.
Setup took just minutes through WiFi or ethernet. The printer works great with phones and computers. We like that it prints both sides of the page automatically. This saves paper and money over time.
The security features really stand out. The badge reader lets us control who can print. This stops unauthorized use and keeps costs down. When toner gets low, the printer can order more automatically through Amazon. The large paper tray holds 300 sheets so we don’t need to refill it often.
Buying Guide
When choosing a color laser printer, we look at several key factors. Price is important, but running costs matter more in the long term.
Print speed affects office productivity. Fast printers can output 20-30 pages per minute in color. Slower models print 10-15 pages per minute.
Print quality is vital for professional documents. Look for a minimum resolution of 600 x 600 dpi. Higher resolutions like 1200 x 1200 dpi give sharper images and text.
Paper handling needs vary by workplace. Basic printers hold 250 sheets. Bigger offices need larger trays that hold 500+ sheets.
Monthly duty cycle shows how many pages a printer can handle. Match this to your needs with some extra capacity for busy times.
Connection options are worth checking. Most printers offer USB and ethernet. WiFi lets you print from anywhere in the office.
Double-sided printing saves paper. Auto-duplex is better than manual flipping.
Size matters if space is tight. Measure your desk or shelf space before buying.
Check toner costs and page yields. Cheaper printers often need more expensive toner. Compare cost-per-page across models.
Memory size affects complex print jobs. 256MB is good for basic use. Heavy graphics need 512MB or more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Color laser printers offer many key features for home and office use. We’ve gathered the most common questions to help you pick the right printer for your needs.
What are the key features to look for in a color laser printer for home use?
We suggest looking for print speeds of at least 20 pages per minute. The printer should have at least 250-sheet paper capacity. A monthly duty cycle of 30,000 pages or more ensures good durability.
Automatic duplex printing saves paper. Built-in Wi-Fi makes setup easier. Look for printers with 600 dpi resolution or higher for sharp text and graphics.
How do color laser printers compare to inkjet printers for home offices?
Color laser printers cost more upfront than inkjets. The toner cartridges last much longer though.
Laser printers print text faster and clearer. They work better for large print jobs. Inkjet printers do better with photos.
Which color laser printers offer the best value for cost-conscious consumers?
The Brother HL-L3270CDW gives great value at under $300. It prints 25 pages per minute and has low-cost toner options.
The HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw costs around $350. It offers good print quality and wireless features.
What are the most reliable color laser printer brands for home use?
Brother printers rate highest for reliability. They need few repairs in the first 3 years.
HP and Canon also make dependable printers. Both brands offer good customer support and easy-to-find supplies.
Can you recommend a color laser printer that handles high-volume printing efficiently?
The Brother HL-L8360CDW prints 33 pages per minute. Its 250-sheet tray handles big jobs well.
The HP Color LaserJet Pro M479fdw includes a 50-sheet auto document feeder. It prints up to 28 pages per minute.
Are there any color laser printers with advanced connectivity options suitable for a home office?
The Canon Color imageCLASS MF644Cdw supports mobile printing from phones and tablets. It works with Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud Print.
The HP Color LaserJet Pro M479fdw has built-in security features. It connects through Wi-Fi, Ethernet or USB.
